On Thursday 7 July ROH Education were delighted to welcome 70 year 8-10 secondary school students back to the Royal Opera House as part of their involvement in the BP Summer Big Screen Education Project. The students are from four secondary schools: Fullbrook School, The Heathlands School, Streatham and Clapham High School for Girls and The Grays School Media Arts College.

All of the students attended an introduction day at the Royal Opera House in April and were set three specific tasks relating to administrative management around the production of the BP Summer Big Screen (Cendrillon). As part of this Work Related Learning project the students were asked to write a press release, design a poster and come up with a fundraising proposal to support the BP Summer Big Screen.

Tasks were judged by a panel of ROH staff and the winners were announced on Thursday by BP representatives Samantha Bulkeley and Shannon Leano.

Press task

Devise a press release for the BP Summer Big Screen

Winner: The Grays School Media Arts College

Runner up: The Heathlands School (Group III)

Marketing task

Produce a poster for the BP Summer Big Screen

Winner: The Grays School Media Arts College

Runner up: Fullbrook School (Group I)

Fundraising task

Compile a fundraising proposal seeking in-kind support for a brand/product to be given out alongside the BP Summer Big Screen

Winner: Streatham & Clapham High School for Girls

Runner up: Heathlands School (Group III)

Award for Innovation

Joint winner: Heathlands School (Group III), Streatham & Clapham High School for Girls

What the teachers said:

The students gained an insight into the business structure that supports the Royal Opera House. It provided students with a real project with good links to business, media, English and graphics. It broke down some of the barriers to ‘opera’

(Teacher: Phil Jones, Fullbrook School)

I feel that our students learnt a lot about all aspects of marketing a production; I think it made them really appreciate just what is involved when it comes to staging a show. It certainly gave them an insight into the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

(Teacher: Cath Garner, Streatham & Clapham High School)

More on the project:

The BP Summer Big Screen Education project aim to provide a practical and real life industry learning experience for young people in the skills required for administrative management in the arts.

All students involved attended the live screening of the opera Cendrillon on Wednesday 13 July.